Wheel lock for quick-detachable wheels



G. E. MOLYNEUX. WHEELLOCK FOR QUICK DETACHABLE WHEELS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE I3, I921.

' Patented May 213, 1922.

Arm/awn.

UNITED STATES P A T' E N T 0 F 1 1* GEORGE E. moLYnEUx, or BAYONNE, NEW JERSEY.

WHEEL LOOK FOR QUICK-DETACHABLE WHEELS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented llllay as, 11922..

7 Application filed June 13, i921 SerialNo. 477,024.

for locking together the inner and outer hub-shells of the wheels so as to prevent-the wheel from slipping off in case of accident or in the absence vof the hub-cap. I

Among the objects of my inventionmay'be noted the following :,to provide a direct and positive lock between the inner and outer hub-shells of a wheel; to provide a means for preventing the wheel from coming off, should the hub-cap come off for any reason, as by becoming loose by failure to lock-the same in place by the usual'hub-cap locking'me'chanism; to provide a means by which to prevent the wheel from shifting or becoming loose on theinner hub-shell, should the hubcap be loose, be removed, or accidentally be dropped" or displaced; to provide a means operating as a lock between the'inner and outer hub-shells-and which prevents the two said shells from losing their concentric relaf ,tion in the event the hub-cap is removed or should accidentally drop off; toprovide a means which requires that the proper concentric relation of the inner and outer hubshells shall be infallibly established before the hub-cap can be placed or adjusted andlocked in position; to provide a means carried by the inner hub-shell which will insure the user against accidents of a frequently fatal character by the loss of a wheel result ing from the loss of the hub-cap, which often occurs at high speed of the vehicle; to pro vide a means by which the user is enabled to determine that the inner and outer hubshells are properly set before he places, or

can place, the hub cap in position and lock the same as required, thus making it neces sary to properly place the wheel and outershellrelati'vely to the inner-shell before the hub-cap. can be locked; to provide a lock be tween wheel and inner hub-shell which, when the wheel is slipped into place, automatically locks the wheel in running position and prevents the wheel from shifting position or a coming ofl" even though the hub-cap may notbe in place; and to provide a simple, strong, durable and compact arrangement for lockmg the 1nner and outer hub-shells together.

preventing them from being accidentally separated, preventing them from losing their concentric arrangement, and for other purposes and functions set forth in the fore- With the above objectsin view and others which will be detailed during the course of this description, my invention consists in the parts, features, elements and combinations thereof hereinafter described and claimed.

In order that my invention may be clearly understood, I have provided drawings wherein: l p v Figure 1' is a sectional elevation showing the hub-shells or members in their cooperative relation, with the hub-cap in place, and embodying a form of my invention which I have found satisfactory in practice;

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 showing details of the form of my invention illus trated in' Figure 1; and A Figure 3 is an elevation of the locking and centering ring illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. It has been found in practice, referring particularly to wire-wheels, that after the wheel has been set in'place with its outershell or hubin cooperative relation with the inner-shell or hub, so that the one may drive the-other, and that the hub-cap can be placed,

it sometimes happens, through either carelessness, neglect, or unfamiliarity with the hub-cap locking means, that the hub-cap will not be tightly set in place or will be so set that the locking means cannot be properly set, so as to keep the hub-cap in place during the running pf the vehicle. In such instances, the hub-ca will eventually work loose, drop off, an serious accidents will occur by the dropping off of the wheel. Also, it has been found to be diiiicult to set the wheel with its outer hub-shell accurately and properly with reference to the inner hub-shell and bring about the proper concentric'relation of the two for proper and easy driving purposes. This difficulty results-in the further objection that the hubcap cannot be properly set and oftentimes the parts will not be properly adjusted; re sulting in accidents to the vehicle and tothe persons therein. It is a great desideratum, therefore, that some means be employed-for accurately setting the wheel and its hub-shell in place in proper cooperative relation to the inner hub-shell and in such po'sitionas to enable'the hub-cap to be properly set in place and locked; and it is also a reat desideratum that, in the event the ub-cap,

forfany reason, should drop off during the running of the vehicle, the wheel shall not come loose or drop oif or lose its concentric relation to the inner hub-shel1.- My -inven tion, as illustrated in the drawings, avoids all the objections above noted, and brings about thedesirable results and functions indicated through ,the medium of a direct connection between :the inner hub-shell and wheel. and which operates, as a positive lock between the two.

Referring to the drawin s, the numeral 1 indicates the inner hub-s ell having any usual formof driving means for co-action with the wheel-shell or outer hub-shell 2. The forwardend of theinner hub-shell is provided at its outer end with external screw threads 3 upon which the hub-cap 4 is turned and is adapted to be set and held or locked in place by any usual form of hub-cap lock-.

ing means such, for example,- as that shown in my Patent #1,324,513, granted Dec. 9,

1919. The hub-cap locking means has been omitted in order to avoid confusion in the drawings and also that my wheel or shelllock may be better understood and accentuated. The hub-cap 4 at its outer end is provided with an 'enlargement, 5, which is flared outwardly, so as toengage closely with the flared end 6 of the wheel or outer ,hub-

shell, the said'flared end being shown as having an inturned flange with which the enlargement 5 of the hub-capengages and cooperates; audit will be seen that, when the parts are in proper cooperative relation, as shown in Figure 1, the face of the hub-cap and the face'of the outer hub-shell are'flush or in the same vertical plane, which latter is tangential to the end 6,-this bein also one of the features of my invention ifi my said Patent #1,324,513 above referred to.

It is understood that the outer hub-shell 2 has the 'wire spokes attached thereto and carries the rim and other members of the wheel, and that, when the said outer hubshell is removed, the entire wheel is removed.

My wheel orshell-lock, as shown in the figures of the drawing, consists of a ring member 7' the. inner diameter of which is sufficient to enable it to freelyencircle the ttscrew-threaded end of the inner hub-shell 1, and the outer diameter of which is sufficient to enable-it to operate freely within the elongated cylindrical. portion 8 of the outer hub-shell. That is to say, when the faces of the ring are normal to the cylindrical portion 8 of the outer hub-shell and to the cylindrical portion 9 of the innerhubsshell, all the jpa-rt's,-viz., ring 7, shell 1, and shell 2 can be reely moved relativel abut, when the ring 7 1s canted, it will bind upon'the cylindrical ustra-ted in ber 8 is provided with two parallel, elongated, a'rc-shaped lugs 11 and 12 afl'ordinga space between them throughout their length sufficient to enable the rin 7 to freely move between the two and bet1lted or canted to the desired extent, as shown in Figure 1. The ring 7 is pivotally mounted centrally in thetwo lugs, having for the purpose a large aperture 13 through which passes a pivot pin- 14, the aperture 13 being much larger in diameter than the pivot pin, which is anchored in the two lugs 11 and 12, thus enabling the ring 7 to be-swung and canted inwardly on its pivotal support between the said two lugs. At a point diametrically opposite the lugs 11 and 12, the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 8 of the outer hubshell is provided with an apertured lug 15, the same being located entirely in advance of or outwardly relatively to the lug 12, or, in

other words, in a plane parallel to the face of said lug12 and passing diametrically through the two hub shells. In :a: corresponding position, or diametrically o posite the aperture 13, the ring 7 1's provi ed with an aperture 16 through which a bolt 17 passes having a head 18'at its inner end back' of the ring 7 and an adjustable co'llar19 at the frontof the ring, the bolt 17 also passing through the lug15 and through the flared end 6 of the outer hub-shell, as presently de scribed. The body. of the bolt between the ring 7 and lug 15 has 'a coiled expansion spring 21 surrounding the same. Thus, the spring, at one end, engages the lug 15, and, at its opposite end,'engages the collar 19 and normally tends to force the 'rlng 7 inwardly into the canted position shown in Figure 1. It will be noted that the distance between the collar 19 and the headed end of the bolt 18 is sufficient to allow the ring 7 to have freedom of movement so as to enable it to be brought to a position normal to the surface of the inner shell portion 9, and it will also be noted that the aperture 16 is sufficiently greater in diameter than the-diameter of the olt 17 to give ample clearance between the two to enable'the ring to operate as required.,

The spring 21-is preferably of a lengthsuch I that it becomes completely compacted against the lug 15 when thering 7 is drawn out .wardly to a position normal to'the portion 9 againclutch and lock the wheel on the inner hub-shell; lVhen the spring is thus compacted, the wheel can be readily slipped off the hub of the inner-shell. The ring 7, at

opposite points on its circumference equidis.

v tant from the apertures '13 and 16, is pro vided with ears 22adapted to slide against the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 8 of the outer hub-shell, the function of said ears being to hold the ring 7 steadily in position and prevent it from sagging laterally on its pivot. This also results in quietude during the running of the vehicle, avoiding ratthng and tendency to tug or strain upon the inner end of the bolt 17.

Viewing Figure 1, it will be seen that the normal position of the ring 7, under the expansive force of the spring 21, is indicated to be at an inclinationto the hub shells, the spring 21 causing the ring .7 to automatically assume the position shown and normally tend to assume said position under all conditions, and it will be understood that, in this position, the'ring 7 operates as a clutch to gri the circumference'of the inner hub-shell cyl indrical portion 9 and maintain its grip thereon throughout all operating conditions. When it is desired to place the wheel on the car, the same is slid' over the inner hub-shell until the driving parts of the two shell members are in cooperative relation, and while this is being done the ring 7 will engage'the outer end of the inner hub-shell 1 and will be shifted outwardly until it stands normal to the cylindrical portion 9. In this position, the outer hub-shell can slide freely into position relative to the inner hub-shell, the ring maintaining its position normal to the cylindrical portion 9, after the spring 21 is compressed, until the co-acting parts of the inner and outer hubshells are co-ordinated; but, it will be understood that the spring operates, by expansion, always with a tendency to shift the ring 7 into locking1 engagement withthe inner hub-shell, so t at when the wheel has reached. its innermost position and the driving parts of the hub-shell have been coordinated, the ring 7 will then automatically, shift to the position shown in 'Figure 1,

where it grips or clutches thecircumference of the cylindrical portion 9 of the. Inner hubshell and locks the wheel thereto, the spring 21 normally tending to compel the ring to hold such position and gripping relation and to resist all tendency of the two hub-shells to separate or V shift longitudinally. Any

strain u on the wheel tending to, shift the same re atively to the inner hub-shell will make-the ring 7 gri the latter and lock the wheel securely. 'Fhe hub-cap 5 can now be screwed onto the threads 3 of the inner hub-shell portion 9 until the flared member 7 5 is in prop'ercooperativ'e relation with the flared member -6 ofthe outer hub-shell, at

The end of the bolt 17' lies in said "groove and follows its contour, as at 24, and terminates in an extension 25-forming a handle projecting beyond the shell, the terminal of the groove, as at 26, affording ample room for movement of. said handle outwardly when shifting the ring 7. .The spring 21.. keeps the handle properly housed and prevents its engagement with external objects, even though the end of the hub should be encountered.

When it is desired to remove the wheel, a-

wrench applied to theface of the hub-cap will retract the hub-cap lock, enabling the hub-cap to be unscrewed from the cylindrical portion 9 of the inner hub-shell and removed. With the hub-cap removed, the

handle 25 of the bolt 17 can be grasped or pressed upon by the fingers, and the bolt drawn forwardly so as shift the clutch ring 7 from its canted or inclined position, shown in Figure 1, toa position normal to the shell portion '9 of the inner hub, thus releasing the latter and the locking engagement between theinner and outer hub-shells, and enabling the wheel to be drawn forwardly over the inner hub-shell and removed.

.It will now; be understood that, in accordv ance with my invention, l have provided anv independent lock in the form of a clutch be-v tween the inner and outer hub-shells of a wheel; or'between the wheel and its support, and that this look or clutchbetween the two members is independent of the lock which secures the cap to the wheel and'prevents the cap from beingremoved-from the inner hub-shell from being removed from, or becoming displaced relatively to, the inner hub-shell. and which prevents the wheel from accidentally coming offunder any cirhub shell. Consequently, I have provided a -means which will prevent the wheel or outer cumstances, should, for any causewhatever,

also be seen that'the said clutch or lock betweenthe hub-shells prevents the shifting of the'ofierelatively to the other, thus mainchange yinrelation of the wheel and inner two members would shift relatively, causing the wheel to drop down on the inner hub the hub-cap be loosened or drop off. It will 112% cap which would ordinarily bring about a.

hub-shell; that is to say, ordinarily, the i shell or upon the axle, thus causing uneven wear, and grinding, and tendency to destruction of the parts in contact.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: i

1. In combination with the hub-shell of a quick detachable wheel and the inner hubshell cooperative therewith, a locking device carried'by one ofthe shells and adapted to lock. the two shells together.

2. In combination with the hub-shell of a quick detachable wheel and the inner hubshell cooperative therewith, a clutch lock carried by one of the shells and adapted to clutch andlo'ck the two shells together.

3. In combination with the hub-shell of "a quick detachable wheel and the inner hubshell cooperative therewith, a locking medium interposed between the two shells and pivotallymounted on one of them and adapted to lock said shells together.

4L. In combination with the hub-shell of a quick detachable wheel and an inner shefi cooperative therewith, a pivotally mounte means between the two shells adapted to maintain the concentric relation of the two shells under all running and adverse conditions.

'5. In combination with the hub-shell-of a quick detachable wheel and the inner hub-' locking device is carried entirelyby the hubshell of the 'wheel.

8. In combination with the hub-cap of a quick detachable wheel and'the inner hubshell cooperative therewith, a locking device carried by the wheel hub-shell and surrounding the inner hub-shell, and adapted to clutch the latter to hold the two in cooperative relation.

9. In combination with the hub-shell of a quick detachable wheel and the inner hubshell cooperative therewith, a locking means adapted to hold the two hub-shells cooperatively together consisting of a ringpivotally mounted on the wheel hub-shell and surrounding the inner hub-shell, and means operating upon the said ring for causing the latter to grip the said inner hub-shell.

10. A combination of elements such as set forth in claim 9 wherein the means operating upon the ring includes a headed bolt passing through the ring, a collar surrounding the bolt, a spring surrounding the bolt and engaging the collar,'and also engaging a lug upon the hub-shell through which the bolt passes.

11. In combination with the hub-shell of a quick detachable wheel and an inner hubshell cooperative therewith, a locking ring pivotally mounted on the wheel hub-shell and surro nding the inner hub-shell, means normally ending to hold the ring in looking engagement with the inner hub-shell,

and means carried by the ring for holding the ring steadily in position and preventing it from sagging laterally relatively to the hub-shells.

12. In combination with the hub-shell of a quick detachable wheel and the inner hubshell cooperative therewith, a locking medium for said shells interposed between them,'said medium including means causing it tov automatlcally go into locking actlon,

and an extension terminating outside the wheel hub-shell for manual manipulation of said'medium.

13'. In combination with the hub-shell of a quick detachable wheel and the inner hubshell cooperative therewith,- a locking medium for said shells interposed between them, said medium including means normally tending to shift the same at an angle to the inner hub-shell to gripthe latter, and an extension terminating outside the wheel hub-shell near its outer end for manual ma nipulation of said medium.

14. .In combination with the hub-shell of a quick detachable wheel and the inner hubshell cooperative therewith, a locking medium for said shells interposed between them, said medium including a reciprocable bolt having a handle housed in the wheel hub-shell, a pivotally mounted ring, and interacting means between the ring and bolt for controlling the action of the former.

GEORGE E. MOLYNEUX. 

